A ONE DAY PACKED LE CONFERENCE BREACHING THE BARRICADE
Welcome to the Home of Breaching the Barricade
The Breaching the Barricade Law Enforcement Conference is a one-day training that focuses on equipping and supporting those on the front lines. Featuring a number of excellent speakers that will encourage and strengthen you. We'll also have breakout sessions for law enforcement spouses. We invite you to come and be encouraged, inspired and equipped for the many challenges we face in today's world.
Friday, October 4th, 2024.
Elkhart, Indiana
For more information contact us via this website's Contact Form.
SPEAKER - Ken Valentine
Ken Valentine began his career with the Secret Service in 1996 in the Louisville, KY Field Office.
He was subsequently assigned to the Presidential Protective Division in Washington, D.C., protecting Presidents Clinton and Bush from 2000 to 2005.
In 2005, Ken was selected to serve as counsel to Senator Orrin Hatch on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Serving in this capacity for two years, he then transferred to Oxford, MS in where he excelled in criminal investigations.
In 2009, Ken returned to Washington, D.C. where he was promoted as a supervisor on the Presidential Protective Division, protecting President Barack Obama.
In 2013, He was appointed to serve in U.S. Secret Service Headquarters as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Congressional Affairs Program.
Ken was promoted in 2014, to serve as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Office.
In 2016 he assumed the position of the Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) of the Oklahoma City Field Office. Serving in that capacity, he had executive oversight for the state of Oklahoma.
Ken later returned to Washington DC in 2018 where he served as SAIC of the Dignitary Protective Division until his retirement in 2020.
Speaking of Ken, former Secret Service Director Joseph P. Clancy:
“Throughout his career, Ken has developed the reputation for being a leader of great character and is well respected within the Secret Service and the greater law enforcement community.”
“Kenny is a thoughtful, fearless leader. He has a black-belt in common-sense and a passion for justice. I’ve known him as a Secret Service agent, a Capitol Hill staffer and as a board member at NCMEC. He brings energy, positivity, character and integrity to every challenge. Ken is a tenacious, seasoned advocate, standing for all that is right and good. (His book) Cheating Death will give you a colorful look behind the scenes of his storybook career. He will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to step up. On top of all the wonderful things Ken has accomplished in his life, he is a really GOOD man.
~ John Walsh, Television Host & Co-Founder of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)”
SPEAKER - Kyle Reyes
Kyle Reyes is the Chief Executive Officer of The Silent Partner Marketing, a full-service marketing agency that works with some of the biggest and most patriotic brands in America. It was dubbed "America's Most Patriotic Marketing Agency" by Fox and Friends. The firm runs the marketing, advertising, public relations, video content and more for America-first companies.
Reyes, a serial entrepreneur, has several startups working heavily in the creation and expansion of the concept of a parallel economy to support conservatives and help conservative businesses to thrive as attacks from the left escalate.
On July 4, 2023 he acquired Law Enforcement Today – then proceeded to acquire most of the competing media outlets in the law enforcement space including Blue Lives Matter, The Police Tribune and other assets. Reyes and his wife funded the acquisition and the expansion out of their own family emergency savings account, agreeing that God always has provided and always will provide. They now own and run the largest pro-police news outlet in the world.
Reyes assembled his own Board of Advisors for LET, consisting of the heads of some of the largest police organizations in America, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Border Patrol Council, UCOPS and others - as well as Constitutional sheriffs and other leaders in the law enforcement community.
Reyes sits on the Board of Advisors for DeliverFund, a 501c3 founded by a former Navy SEAL and a CIA officer. It's an organization that destroys sex trafficking networks by training, equipping and advising law enforcement officers. He's also on the development committee for the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and a host of other non-profits.
Reyes is also the creator and co-host of Real Man TV, an online series that focused on resurrecting the art of manliness. He’s also one of the stars of Boom America With Kevin Harrington – the original “Shark” from the hit show “Shark Tank”.
Reyes, a former broadcast news producer, is no stranger to being in the headlines himself. You may recognize the name of his marketing agency from his controversial "Snowflake Test" which made international news when the media found out about his employee vetting program to ensure no "snowflakes" end up working for the company.
Reyes has regularly appeared on cable news programs, over the years including Fox and Friends, Varney and Company, Risk and Reward, Louder With Crowder, The Adam Carolla Show, The Kennedy Show, Fox and Friends First, Newsmax, OANN and more.
He's a proud father of four little girls, husband, Christian and patriot.
SPEAKER - Dr. Olivia Johnson
Dr. Olivia Johnson holds a master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri, St. Louis and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership Management from the University of Phoenix, School of Advanced Studies. Dr. Johnson is the founder of the Blue Wall Institute where consulting, needs assessment, and training are key. Her perseverance in raising awareness of the issues facing our first responders, was named the Illinois State Representative and active Board Member for the National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation, where she conducts research, publishes articles, and communicates with agencies in need.
Dr. Johnson is a veteran of the United States Air Force, a former police officer, and published author. She is an Associate Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Associate Member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP), member of the International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers (ILEETA), the National POLICE Suicide Foundation (PSF), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance member and Suicidology Researcher (3-year term), Illinois Academy of Criminology (IAC); Society for Police and Clinical Psychology (SPCP) member, American Association of Suicidology (AAS) Volunteer Member, a public safety expert writer for SilverHart, Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team member, St. Clair County (IL) Suicide Alliance, Suicide Prevention/Juvenile Justice Curriculum (SPJJC) Ad Hoc Committee member, and Forensic Behavioral Health Advisory Board Committee member.
Dr. Johnson is considered a subject expert (SE) in police officer health and wellness, police officer suicide, and suicide prevention and awareness in first responders. Dr. Johnson served as an Advisory Board member for VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program regarding curriculum review for de-escalation training and techniques. Dr. Johnson formerly worked as a Senior Research Associate for the Institute for Intergovernmental Research as a Lead Instructor for the VALOR Officer Safety Program and was the Program Advisor and Lead Instructor for the SAFLEO (National Suicide Awareness for LE Officers) Program. Dr. Johnson recently received her Law Enforcement Psychological Autopsy Certification from the American Association of Suicidology.
SPEAKERS - Jason and Traci Davis
Traci and Jason Davis have been married for 23 years and have three children together- Taylor (22), Ryah (18), and Brycen (14).
Traci was a correctional officer with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office for 5 years before deciding to forego her law enforcement career to raise their children. She re-entered the work force about 8 years ago and has been an esthetician for a medical spa for the past 6 years.
Jason is a Lieutenant with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and has been a law enforcement officer for 25 years. He has held assignments in corrections, field operations, community services, and the training unit. He has served the majority of his career on patrol, about 15 years, and recognizes these truly were the most rewarding years of his career. He has also served on the SWAT team, as a field training officer, a use of force instructor and firearms instructor.
A 23-year law enforcement marriage that has been through infidelity, betrayal, family tragedy, and murder could not possibly survive, could it? Well, it is not only surviving but it is thriving. Come hear Jason and Traci Davis’s inspirational story on how resiliency and commitment to marriage has allowed them to overcome severe challenges in their marriage.
SPEAKER - John Darge
John Darge is a decorated 25 year law enforcement veteran. He spent almost 20 years in the Cook County Central Warrant Unit, spending much of his time in the most notoriously violent neighborhoods of Chicago. Upon retiring from the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, he worked for a couple of south suburban police departments before landing a job serving as a detective position serving the Steger IL Police Department. Parked on the front gates of hell at times, John did what was needed in taking bad guys off the street but also in a compassionate way that brought hope and encouragement to those he met along the way.
SPEAKER - Kevin Bernard
Chaplain Kevin Bernard is a former pro boxer and retired police Sergeant with the Philadelphia police department where he served for 28 years. A highly decorated officer, he served as a member of PPD’s elite crimefighting unit called the Highway Patrol. The unit consisted of two man teams working in the highest crime areas of the city. Kevin also served in dignitary protection as well as the Narcotics Strike force as a Sergeant. It was there he preformed surveillance, arrests and warrant enforcement. Today Kevin is the Director of Chaplains and Security for Rock Ministries … A beacon of hope in one of Philadelphia’s most drug riddled communities. There he serves as a boxing coach, cut man and a certified USA Boxing official.
SPEAKER - Thomas Lemmer
Thomas Lemmer is an independent researcher, analyst, author, and instructor. He has nearly four decades of experience in public safety positions, including extensive experience as a law enforcement trainer, supervisor and executive. Most recently, he was a Deputy Chief for the Chicago Police Department. He has served in ethnically diverse and predominately minority communities, as well as within college, military, public transportation, and public housing settings. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Criminal Justice, and for seven years was an undergraduate instructor at Loyola University Chicago. He has expertise in addressing the complexities of community policing, juvenile crime, gangs, violence, patrol operations, police policy development, supervisory engagement, and management accountability. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Futurists International, and the Fraternal Order of Police, among other organizations.
SPEAKERS - Julie and Evan Sharpley
Evan and Julia Sharpley have a passion for health, wellness, and bringing the body to its full physical function and mental function capabilities. Evan’s experience, a former football and baseball player at the University of Notre Dame and professional baseball player in the Seattle Mariners organization, laid the ground work for his knowledge in functional fitness. Following his athletics career, he started Sharpley Training in which he coached hundreds of high school, college, and professional athletes at his facility. Evan and Julia met and connected through their common love of fitness and were married in October of 2022. Navigating multiple jobs, careers, homeschooling, and the array of challenges that a blended family presents, their love for health has more recently expanded into mental and relational wellness. Join them as they share some of the simple and practical methods they have learned to manage stress, depression, cardio vascular health, weight management, and many other common hurdles we all face.
2024 Officer Appreciation Day
The 30th Annual Officer Appreciation Day is a celebration of law enforcement and the invaluable role officers play in our communities. A National Peace Officer's Appreciation Week activity, it's open to all active-duty officers and their families. Come and experience a grateful public that is not mad, bad, or sad. Be encouraged with a fresh reminder that you are appreciated!
Saturday, October 5th, 2024.
Sturgis, Michigan.
For more information, visit:
warrioronthewall.org/appreciation-day/
